Special Needs Jungle Ltd’s Post

Empowering every voice is crucial for a truly inclusive democracy. 🗳️✨ The rights of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act to participate in elections are often overlooked due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge about their eligibility. As highlighted in the article, “71% didn’t know how to register to vote, 77% didn’t know they could register using the hospital address, and 48% didn’t know they were allowed to vote at all.” This needs to change. Mental health nurses and professionals play a pivotal role in educating and assisting patients with the voting process. By promoting awareness and providing support, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of their mental health status, can exercise their democratic rights. 🗳️💪 Read more about the importance of voting rights for mental health patients and how we can all contribute to a more inclusive electoral process. #MentalHealth #VotingRights #Inclusion #Democracy #Healthcare https://lnkd.in/eh3JZMi8

Dear Friends – this article is one of many informational topics on all sorts of timely solutions pertaining to individuals and businesses. Our goal is to educate and inform you! We have capacity to accept new clients or referrals or answer any questions. Feel free to reach out to us at request@gwtallc.com anytime!   Disability income may or may not be taxable by the federal government. Here are the basic rules. https://bit.ly/4c9tK5I

As we observe the 16 days of Activism agaisnt GBV, it is my wish to hear a more inclusive dialogue around domestic violence that deliberately discusses the incidents of psychological, emotional and financial abusive women(based on statistics) who are charged with raising children alone. may we consider the statistics of child support cases both at the magistrates court and those that emanate from divorce proceedings. The last census reported a high percentage of households led by women who in most cases are default custodians of children. The affiliation proceedings in the magistrates courts are not prioritized and are a victim of lack of resources encountered from initial service of notices to enforcement of non compliance with maintenance orders. there is one case which was processed after 8 years ! We need a special court, we need firm measures against defaulters as this would be a means to alleviate the pressure put on custodians of children and also to support the implementation of the children's act equitably

The Senate session yesterday revealed that Labor has struck a deal with the Coalition to pass the NDIS Amendments Bill (2024). It is understood by the disability sector that this will be passed through the Senate this coming Thursday. https://lnkd.in/gapsvWcV It is very alarming that despite legal advice, the disability community’s deep concerns and many Disability Representative Organisations pushing to work together to ensure that this Legislation has sufficient guardrails in place. This is to avoid leaving people with disability without essential supports, at risk of harm and meaningful productive lives destroyed. The profound sense of betrayal regarding working together is palatable and has completely eroded confidence of the many people within the disability community and the feeling of building a future NDIS with integrity. The sense of betrayal and the consequence loss of trust in government has serious and lasting consequences. There is absolutely NOTHING to celebrate for the Disability community or Society at large if the legislation is passed in its current form and is in play after 28 days. People with disability are in despair. Nothing has changed to meaningfully address the accountability gaps that exist of those responsible for ineffective systems or provide safe methods for recourse that we are aware of. Unintended consequences that are not recoverable are inevitable. Previously Government said: •”People with disability will be at the centre.” (NDIS Legislation Explanatory Notes) •”Co-design means we make better, more informed decisions and that people have greater ownership of the decisions made. It makes sure solutions are fit for purpose and do not exclude or marginalise people”.                                               We thought that we had come a long way in recognising that poorly informed and designed legislation and systems is not the way to continue as it puts people with disability at the risk of further harm. After 4.5 years of a Disability Royal Commission outlining abuse, violence and exploitation that exists across the entire ecosystem that hasn’t been addressed there is now further change to occur that can only lead to chaos and take years to rectify. People have been left not only without a paddle but no boat and no island in sight……. This Legislation must be paused! 

Last night in the Senate was really difficult to watch. I felt so uncomfortable, watching Senator Ayres downplay Jordon Steele-John’s response when it had been identified that and an agreement has been made to pass the current NDIS legislation. This legislation bundled as reform, has the potential to cause harm and significant distress through the disability community. I agree, reform is needed. I agree we need to ensure costs are delivering the best available services for Australians with a disability. But there are lots of other ways to do this. There is unnecessary redtape. There are processes through NDIS that are complex and woven with unnecessary administrative burden. Mandatory assessments, that are not reviewable are in no way appropriate for a person with a disability. The removal of psychosocial supports from the NDIS deviates from its intended purpose. Foundational supports are just being cost shifted between state and federal government. Will we see the immediate rejection of all change of circumstances reviews we have been told to expect? Will we see further business closures due to the passing of this legislation who will collate the stories of harm that we are already seeing? who will make sure their stories continue to be told? Last night was really difficult watching, (im holding space today for this feeling of uncomfortable) and I urge you to reach out to your communities and check that they are okay.

Now this is what MP’s and the prime Minister should be #focused on. All our futures rely on having a generation well equipped to deal with life. We are creating a whole generation of broken Children and Young People which will erode the good we are all trying to achieve.😓 #buildingyoungpeople #traumainformedapproaches #serviceimprovements #childrenandyoungpeopleagenda #everychildmatters #governmentreforms

‘Home Office data showed young Black males aged 10-17 had the highest rate of stop and search at 106.3 per 1,000 people, compared with 27.1 for their white counterparts’. The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) recent call to address the adultification of Black children is a critical step toward dismantling racial biases in the UK justice system. Adultification, the process by which children, particularly Black children, are perceived as older, less innocent, and less vulnerable than their peers, has devastating consequences for those subjected to it. This pervasive bias leads to harsher treatment, diminished care, and an erosion of trust between communities and institutions. This issue was tragically highlighted by the case of Child Q, a Black schoolgirl who was subjected to a traumatising strip search by police officers based on unfounded suspicion. Such incidents expose the systemic flaws that allow bias to go unchecked, disproportionately targeting children who deserve protection, not criminalisation. The IOPC's recommendations include mandatory training for officers to counteract racial stereotypes and better oversight to ensure child welfare is prioritised in policing. While these steps are promising, they are only the beginning of a broader conversation about institutional accountability. Police reform must address deep-seated prejudices and commit to rebuilding trust with marginalised communities through transparency, equity, and meaningful engagement. As individuals, professionals, and communities, we have a role to play in advocating for systemic change. Raising awareness, holding institutions accountable, and amplifying the voices of affected children and their families are essential actions. It is easy to do nothing if this issue doesn’t affect you. But that is how it has been allowed to continue for so long. We all need to be a part of affirming the humanity of every child and ensuring they grow up in a society that values and protects them equally. https://lnkd.in/e2SjEqQ6 #ChildProtection #RacialJustice #EquityInPolicing #EndAdultification #CommunityAdvocacy #JusticeForChildQ #SystemicChange

There is a clear pathway to keeping children out of the youth justice system. In our submission to a Senate inquiry examining the overincarceration of First Nations children and youth justice systems across Australia, we continue back the recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. First Nations community-led solutions will work. They must be implemented. In Victoria, First Nations children, children of colour, children with disability and children living in state care are significantly overrepresented at all stages of the criminal legal system. Improving the system for the most marginalised in our community will benefit all. https://lnkd.in/gywmg5s8

STATEMENT: Yesterday was National #SorryDay, where we mourn the forcible government removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities, known as the Stolen Generations. This violent removal was done in the name of child and youth protection. In Victoria, punitive child protection and youth justice interventions continue at high rates against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. As #ReconciliationWeek starts today, the work of apology, truth and reconciliation is clearly not behind us. We urge government to commit to and invest in Aboriginal self-determination and solutions identified by community. Follow and support the work of Aboriginal-led organisations Koorie Youth Council (KYC), DjirraVIC, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, VACCA - Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Change the Record. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/gt62-xiB #NationalReconciliationWeek #NowMoreThanEver #NationalSorryDay

📣 Three bills supporting Pennsylvania youth experiencing #homelessness are primed to pave the way to progress. First step–getting them heard and passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly! Take action today to urge PA legislators to hear and pass HB 729, 730, and 1175. 🔎 Find all the info you need on the bills, the committees considering them, and how to take action at bit.ly/4aEIsRh.